Freedom Of Entry

The Royal Australian Navy’s Submarine Squadron was honoured in 1986, and again in 1992, with a formal ceremony awarding the unit Freedom of Entry to the town of Holbrook.

The unique connection between the inland farming town of Holbrook and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Submarine Squadron was further cemented in 1986, and again in 1992, when submariners were given Freedom of Entry to the town. 

In medieval times, the granting of permission to a body of armed men to enter a city signified its citizens’ trust and confidence in that body. Today, the granting of Freedom of Entry is the highest tribute a town or city can gift a group or an individual, and is given no less lightly today than in the distant past.

The ceremony of granting Freedom of Entry to a RAN unit is centred upon a procession that begins on one side of the town. The unit marches to the staging point, where it awaits the arrival of the official party and the lord mayor. On the arrival of the lord mayor, the parade is inspected before the mayor addresses the unit, and reads aloud and presents an ornate scroll authorising the granting of Freedom of Entry. On receiving the scroll, the commanding officer of the unit involved traditionally delivers a short acceptance speech. The unit then exercises its right to freely enter the town, armed, with swords drawn, bayonets fixed, colours flying, drums beating and a band playing.

At a pre-determined position, the parade is halted and challenged by a senior member of the local constabulary. The unit’s commanding officer responds and presents for inspection the scroll granting Freedom of Entry. After inspecting the scroll, the challenging officer acknowledges the unit’s right of entry and permits it to pass. The unit then continues its procession through the town, passing, if possible, the local war memorial and then the Town Hall, where the mayor takes the salute. On completion of this procession, the unit returns to the staging point and disperses.